Light Tackle Fishing Charters In Tampa Bay

What’s the difference between a clearwater fishing guide & a charter captain? Anyone can go out and pass a test to get a Charter Captains' license. However, a guide is someone who truly knows how to fish in the area. From having the right equipment, boat, waterway knowledge to knowing what is biting on a summer's morn vs. a winter's eve and what bait to use in each scenario. Captain Craig is a true, ‘Clearwater Fishing Guide’. From shallow grass flats fishing to the bays, Captain Craig's flats fishing charters are among the best in the area. His flats charters include taking one to 3 persons to areas such as the grass flats, nearshore, backwaters, and bays along Clearwater and Tarpon Springs and even into Tampa Bay. These flats fishing experiences include casting with artificial or live bait along with traditional & fly fishing with no price disparity between any technique or quarry! Expect to catch snook, redfish, tarpon, mackerel, sharks, cobia, threadfin, & more! You will be fishing aboard Captain Craigs 21' Backcountry Flats boat equipped with a trolling motor and polling platform which allow Captain Craig to sneak you up on the fish to get the best possible look at catching them! This boat can maneuver the skinny water (hence the name of his charter) to chase down the awesome flats fish like tailing Reds, Snook, and even Tarpon! Captain Craig will provide almost everything for your flats fishing adventure from rods, reels, tackle, bait, fishing licenses, and even fish cleaning though he does encourage catch and release. All you'll need to bring are some snacks and drinks, your sun protection, and your own fly gear if that's your flavor, but Captain Craig will take care of the rest to ensure you have an epic day out on the water! Feel free to bring your young ones on this family-friendly trip; Captain Craig is great at getting kids hooked on fishing, and kids under 12 come aboard for free! Read More

Attention anglers! If you're looking for the ultimate fishing adventure, look no further! This inshore focused trip with Captain Christopher in Tampa , Florida is one of the best charters on Florida's Gulf coast, and is an absolute blast for anglers of all levels. Captain Christopher is a seasoned pro with years of experience navigating the waters of Tampa Bay, and he knows exactly where to find the best Snook, Redfish, and Trout in the area. On this trip, you'll be stalking the mangrove channels and brackish inshore cutaways looking for big-time Snook. These aggressive predatory fish are something like a saltwater version of the Pike, and are known for blowing up baits and lures on topwater and really bringing the fight! But it's not just about the fishing. Captain Christopher's charters are all about creating a unique and memorable experience for his guests. His custom-built 21’ Clearwater 2000CC bay boat is fully equipped with all the necessary gear and amenities, including a shaded T-top and an open deck for soaking up the sun. The sleek design of this shallow-draft vessel allows for a comfortable drift through even the shallowest areas, so you can get into the "skinny" water where big Snook hang out. There’s also a Bluetooth stereo, so feel free to bring your favorite playlist! Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the beauty of Tampa, Florida's waterways and catch some of the most sought-after fish in the Gulf. Book your Snook charter fishing trip with Captain Christopher today and make your fishing dreams a reality! Read More

Head out to fish the waters around Tampa with Captain Nick for an awesome day out on the water slaying the fish! Captain Nick - with his 15+ years of experience - will take you where the fish are biting. He will help you reel in Trout, Redfish, Flounder, and Grouper which are in the bay all year long, as well as Tarpon and Cobia if you want to target them during the summer months. For these trips, Captain Nick uses his 22’ Aguasport bay boat, which comes with the latest marine electronics and safety gear. It can accommodate up to 4 anglers fishing in full comfort and can accommodate up to 6 if the last two adventurers are small children. Captain Nick provides all rods, reels, and tackle. All you need to bring are your favorite snack and drinks, your sun protection, and your camera to record your trophies! Bring your kids or your angling buddies and head out for a fishing adventure to remember with Captain Nick! Read More

Embark on an unforgettable inshore fishing adventure with Captain Gage in the picturesque waters of Clearwater, Florida. Captain Gage is your seasoned guide to the abundant marine treasures that this region has to offer, and he operates his trips from a sleek 22-foot Ranger bay boat. With a wealth of local knowledge and years of experience, Captain Gage knows all the secret spots and prime fishing grounds that will ensure a successful and exciting excursion. Whether you're an experienced angler or a novice, Captain Gage's inshore trips are tailored to accommodate up to 5 guests at a time, making it an ideal outing for families, friends, or solo adventurers. His boat is fully equipped with top-of-the-line fishing gear and safety equipment, ensuring a comfortable and secure journey throughout your fishing expedition. From snook and redfish to trout and tarpon, Clearwater's diverse inshore waters are teeming with a wide variety of species, and Captain Gage's expertise ensures that you'll have the best chance of reeling in a memorable catch. As you cruise along the stunning Clearwater coastline, Captain Gage will not only assist you in hooking the catch of the day but also share insights about the local ecosystem and its unique wildlife. Whether you're looking for a thrilling fishing experience or a tranquil day on the water surrounded by Florida's natural beauty, Captain Gage's inshore trips offer the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. Make lasting memories and catch some trophy fish with Captain Gage on your next Clearwater inshore fishing excursion. His boat comes loaded with all the gear you could possibly need for a successful day out on the water including all the rods, reels, tackle, bait and fishing licenses. So all you have to do is bring your favorite snack and drinks, your sun protection, and your camera and Captain Gage will take care of the rest! Read More

Come fish the beautiful waters off the coast of Clearwater, FL with Captain Jim! Whether you want to stay inshore for big Redfish, Speckled Trout, and various Snapper species, or head a bit further offshore to troll for Spanish Mackerel, Bonito, and Cobia, Captain Jim knows where the fish are biting. Captain Jim uses his 27’ Pro Cat Catamaran, equipped with state-of-the-art marine electronics and safety gear, to take up to 6 anglers fishing in comfort. He has nearly 30 years of experience fishing here, and can put you right on target, whatever species you want to chase. All fishing licenses, rods, reels, and tackle are provided by Captain Jim, so all you need to bring are your favorite snacks and drinks, sun protection, and camera to capture your trophies. Bring your family or friends and get out there! Read More

On this trip with Captain Ray, you'll target Redfish, Snook, and Speckled Trout on light tackle! This is classic Tampa Bay fishing, where you can explore inshore mangrove channels and nearshore waters with ease. The type of fish you'll be targeting will be determined by the time of year. Most trips are geared towards catching a trophy Snook or Redfish. When summer comes around, the focus changes to targeting trophy Tarpon along the beaches. Captain Ray also targets other species like including Trout, Black Drum, Mackerel, Flounder, Tripletail, Permit, Pompano, Snapper, Grouper and Cobia! This trip is extremely flexible and can be catered to your preferences! Captain Ray will launch anywhere from Clearwater to Sarasota if the fish are there. Make sure to stay in contact with him in the days leading up to the trip to discuss what meet up location works best for you. Read More

Get out there on the water and enjoy everything Tampa Bay, FL has to offer on this trip with Captain Cody, an all-around outdoorsman who loves putting his clients on top gamefish! A Florida native, he grew up hunting and fishing this area and has years of experience on the water, so whether you're just looking to have a good time with family, fill your cooler with table fare, or bag a trophy fish, he has you covered. On this trip, you'll be chasing some of America's most popular inshore sportfish, including Redfish, Speckled Trout, Mangrove Snapper, and Snook. All of these fish are a blast on light tackle, and provide a challenge for every angler. In Tampa's clear water, you can sight cast directly to these fish, and put that bait or lure right in front of them for that giant topwater blowup. Captain Cody runs his fishing trips aboard a 26' Andros bay boat, an ideal fishing vessel that can handle all kinds of water and weather. She's equipped with a Yamaha 300-HP for a ton of speed, and is kitted out with amenities to enhance your experience. All you need to bring is your sunscreen (no spray please), some sunglasses, and a good attitude! Captain Cody has everything else covered, so get out there and have some fun! Read More

Captain Dmitri will guide you through the waters outside of St. Petersburg, Florida, as you embark on this 4-hour fishing escapade! His 23-foot center console is equipped with a GPS, Fishfinder, Live Bait Well, and an Ice Box. You’ll be targeting the Mangrove Snapper, Redfish, Snook, and Speckled Trout / Spotted Seatrout that live nearshore and around the flats. Don’t forget to bring a hat, sunscreen, and a cooler with ice to take home your day’s catch. Captain Dmitri will provide all rods, reels, tackle, lures, and fishing licenses. He will also clean and fillet your fish at no extra charge! Captain Dmitri takes fishing to a whole new level, so come on down to St. Petersburg and make some memories! Read More

If you're looking to get on some spectacular inshore sportfish in the Tampa Bay/St. Pete area, there's no better guide than Captain Thomas. He's been fishing these waters for more than two decades, and he's studied the prime spots and best holes in order to put you on record-setting fish! You'll be targeting classic inshore species such as Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Snook—sometimes known as the "Florida Triple" or the "Florida Grand Slam". These fish are all great fighters, and are an absolute blast to catch, whether it's your first time out there, or your thousandth. You'll be chasing bites using light-tackle techniques, fishing both live bait and lures depending on the season, water conditions, and weather. Captain Thomas is a pro, and he's got an array of tips and tricks to help you hook a personal best! Thomas runs his trips aboard his 22' Century bay boat—an ideal vessel for hunting lunkers in inshore waters. She's fast, with a 250-HP Yamaha engine, and a hull profile that's sharp enough to cut through chop and shallow enough to get into backcountry channels where big fish like to congregate. She's also equipped with a wireless trolling motor to help you sneak up on your targets, plus a live well for bait and an ice box for your keepers. Everything you need will be provided for you, including rods, reels, bait, and tackle. All you need to bring is sunscreen (lotion only, no spray!), a hat, and a pair of sunglasses to cut the surface glare. Get out there and have a blast! Read More

If you’re looking for fish, friends, and family fun, you have picked the ultimate experience, with all three to be found in abundance on one fine fishing boat! Captain Roy was born and raised in the Tampa Bay area and has spent most of his life on the waters of West Central Florida. As a third-generation native Captain, Roy grew up fishing with his father, grandfather, and brother, learning to truly appreciate the wonderful fishing of the Tampa Bay area’s Gulf Coast. He has devoted his career to sharing the ultimate fishing experience with you and your favorite fishing gang. Captain Roy can provide a fun day of family fishing as well as personal fishing guidance for the more serious angler. You will fish aboard his 22’ Skeeter powered by a 250 HP Yamaha engine. Captain Roy provides Eupro rods, Penn reels, and Spiderwire fishing line. You are also welcome to bring your own fly fishing equipment. While fishing inshore you can target a variety of species. Depending on the season you might reel in Redfish, Snook, Jack Crevalle, Cobia, Sharks, and more. Without friends, fishing isn’t as much fun, and you will always find plenty of both friendship and fish when you fish with Captain Roy. A fishing license is provided for you and Captain Roy will clean and fillet any fish you’d like to bring home Read More

If you're looking for a fishing adventure in Clearwater, Florida, look no further than a trip with Captain Garrett, your expert fishing guide! With years of experience and a passion for the sport, Garrett knows all the best spots for inshore, nearshore, flats, and backcountry fishing. On his 22' Pathfinder bay boat, you'll enjoy a comfortable ride as you set out on your fishing expedition. Garrett specializes in using live bait to target a variety of fish species, including Snook, Redfish, Trout, and Tarpon. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a first-time fisherman, Garrett will cater to your skill level and ensure you have an unforgettable experience on the water. With his friendly and personable approach, you'll feel at ease as you learn new techniques and reel in your catch of the day. Don't miss out on the chance to fish with the best. Book your trip with Garrett today and get ready for an adventure you'll never forget! Read More

Get out there and enjoy a fun, laid-back light tackle sportfishing trip on beautiful Tampa Bay. On this trip with Captain Wade, you'll be going after classic species including snook, redfish, seatrout, and more! There are multiple options for your adventure, so you can find what's best for you. On the three-hour charter, you'll get a great introduction to Tampa Bay and have time to catch multiple species of fish. This is ideal for visitors, first-timers, couples, seniors, or parents with kids, young or old. Of course, you'll be treated to professional, family-friendly service and courteous expert instruction. Four hours provides a greater opportunity to cover a larger area of Tampa Bay and catch more fish. Many people find this amount of time ideal for entertaining friends, clientele or hosting bachelor parties. Have a blast, while competing to see who catches the biggest fish or most fish. Six hours is highly recommended to maximize your fishing adventure on Tampa Bay. This charter is ideal for avid anglers, and enthusiasts looking to hone their inshore angling skills. Experience fishing numerous grass flats, mangrove shorelines, oyster beds, creeks and back-bays. No matter the adventure you select, you'll have a great time fishing with Captain Wade! He provides premium spin, fly or plug fishing tackle such as G-Loomis, Penn, Sage and Tibor. Live-bait, flies, artificial lures, ice, bottled drinking water and sunscreen lotion is also provided. He will also fillet, bag, and ice your catch, should you decide to keep some fish for lunch or dinner! His 24' Sheaffer is an ideal boat for fishing this inshore environment and was refurbished in 2022 with brand-new electronics and motor. Get out there and enjoy all that Tampa Bay has to offer! Afishionado, "Always an Adventure." Read More